Clay Harbor Moving To Defense?

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are trying out TE Clay Harbor as an outside linebacker.

“I’m trying a little outside linebacker, actually, to be more versatile. We’ll see how it works out,” said Harbor. The move comes as a surprise, but Eagles fans should learn to expect the unexpected with Chip Kelly. Usually, players who attempt position changes are not held in high regard by the coaching staff. If Harbor needs to play a completely foreign position in order to increase his chances of making the team, he’s in trouble.

The position change may seem insignificant, but it could have potentially enormous implications.

Most importantly, the coaches must not have much confidence in the team’s outside linebacker depth. Perhaps Trent Cole and Brandon Graham are struggling to adjust to the position, but the more likely scenario is that players like Phillip Hunt, Everette Brown, and Chris McCoy are doing nothing to impress the coaches.

Harbor’s position change also separates Brent Celek, James Casey, and Zach Ertz as the three tight ends that Chip Kelly is prepared to carry on the roster.

Perhaps I’m reading into a minor experiment far too much, but I no longer consider Harbor likely to make the 53-man roster and am becoming increasingly concerned with the outside linebacker position.